Clamp for window shades



Nov. 30 ,1926. l 1 `1,609,240

A. BROWN CLAMP FOR wINnow sHADEs Filed August 5, 1925 Jg@ y y? INI/Ewan Sim.

Patented Nov. 30, 1926a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEXANDER BROWN, OF IVIGKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR F ONE-HALF TO MILTON SNYDER, OF GLASSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

CLAMP FOR` WINDOW SHADES.

Application filed August rllhis invention relates to clamping devices and more in particular to clamps adapted to secure curtains of window-shades to their respective poles.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a clamping device which can be applied with great speed and which is positive in operation. Another object of this invention is to eliminate the use of nails, as now prevalent, for securing curtains to their poles. A further object is to provide a holding means which does not in any way spoil the curtain cloth and which permits the rapid removal of curtains for the purpose of wasl'iing or repairing. Still a further object of this invention is to provide a clamping device which is simple in construction and application and which can be manufacturcd at very low' cost.. Additional features and advantages may appear from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, and in which Fig. l is a fragmentary perspectiveview,

' partly in section, showing the general application of a clamp to a window-shade.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a window-shade supplied with my clamps.

Figs. 3, 5 and 7 are cross-sections showing three different methods of making the window-shade clamps.

Figs. t, 6 and 8 are respectively the top plan views of Figs 3, 5 and 7.

Fig. 9 shows the preferred method of making the friction band used in connection with the clamp. I

Fig. l0 is a fractional view showing in section the gripping nose of the clamp.

The window-shade clamp is composed of a strip 1 of metal, preferably rust resisting, of suitable width and thickness which is bent to form a circular arc of suitable diameter to lit closely, but yieldingly, the curtain pole vupon which it is to be used.

One end of this strip is bent inwardly to produce the substantially radial grippingnose 2, whereas the other end is smooth and follows the curvature of the curtain pole 3. In order to insure a good engagement of the clamp with the curtain pole, the former must embrace more than one half the periphery of the latter, and in practice I have found that best results are obtained by making the angle of contact A from l5 to 25 degrees larger than half the circumference. This angle is 5, 1925. seriaI No. 48,186.

adequate to hold the clamp yieldingly on the curtain pole, while at the same time permitting the quick removal of the clamp when required for repairing or cleaning the curtain.

In order to increase the frictional engagement between the yclamp and the curtain, and also to prevent undue inarring of the lat-ter by the former, I prefer to insert between these two parts a pliable band t of cloth, or other material having a greater coeiicient of friction than that of metal upon clot-h. This friction band is made longer than the clamp proper in order to provide an eXtension or tail 5 whereby the clamp may be easily pried oli' the curtain pole. In Figs. 3 and 4: the friction band is shown as being simply held in place by the spring action of the clamp, especially the nose thereof.

Best results are, however, obtained by securing one end of the friction band A to the nose-end'of the clamp, as thereby a greater pull may be exerted on the tail 5 without fear of pulling rsaid band entirely out from between the clamp and the end of the curtain. Moreover, this arrangement prevents the ying, or snapping away, of the clamp when the tail-end is pulled. Figs. 7 and 8 show the friction band secured to the noseend of the clamp by means of rivets 8, thereby forming substantially an integral clamping device.

In the preferred construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the end of the friction band is folded flat over itself for a short distance and then sewn at both edges, as indicated by the numeral 6, to form a pocket 7 into which the nose-end of the clamp is introduced. I prefer this construction because it is cheaper to manufacture than the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and because it permits of independent packing of the clamps and removable friction bands, if so desired.

I-Iaving thus described the general construction of my curtain clamping device, its application and operation will be obvious by referring to Figs. l or 2, and may be succinctly stated as follows:

To secure a curtain C upon its pole, the free end of the former is wrapped approximately one half turn around said pole and the required number of clamps, with their respective friction bands, are then snapped over the curtain and pole, thereby completing the work. To remove the curtain from its pole, zr-pull is1exertedvon the 'tail-ende 5 ol the various clamping devices '1n 'a d1reetion away from the pole, thus opening some-v As will he understood as suO'VO'estedherein= there muy he slight changes made in the construction und arrangement of the details of la; my invention Without departingF from the field and scope ofthe saine' and l intend to include all euch variations ns tellwvithin the scope olI the appended claims, in this LQppliczition in which the"pre'ferred 'forms'on'ly of i5 my invention .have been disclosed.

lVliile l have described the use of my invention eepeeielljT in connection with Win dow-shades, it is evident that the `former is equallyv Well -adapted 'for other similar pur- ZU poeegsuch as'lior securingflags, strezuners7 advertising sheets, ete. temporarily or permanently 4to suitable poles.

l claim l. A clamp of the character described coinprising an arcuate strip of resilient material 225 having at one end thereof an inwardly directedrudiul lug; a friction bund engaging the inner fece of seid arcuate strip, said band lhaving fit-one end a pocket adapted to receive therein Suid lug.

2. A Clamp o `the charuoter described comprising iurer'cuute strip of resi]n terial having :it-one end thereof an y directed radial lug; u friction hand engen'- ing the'inner' face olsaid arcuate strip, s bund heinglonger than said arcuate strip and 'havinqntone end a pocket adapted to receive therein seid lug.

In testimony whereof l utlif; my sisrnulure.

ALEXANDER BRW.

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